Petts Wood & Holmesdale’s historic Emirates FA Cup journey came to an end on Saturday, as Windsor & Eton proved too strong in our first ever First Round Qualifying appearance, running out 1-5 winners at The New Inn Stadium. Despite the scoreline, the Dale delivered a spirited performance that reflected just how far the club has come in this season’s competition.

Charlie Clover got the match underway. Nine minutes in, Mecca Samuels almost burned past his marker to whip in a cross and Lewis Heywood looked to smash one past the keeper from the left. Reece Hobbs then produced a brilliant save to deny a curling effort, the first of several strong stops he made throughout the afternoon. But after a spell of end to end intensity, Windsor & Eton landed the first blow. A loose clearance fell kindly and midfielder Luke Phillips unleashed a thunderbolt into the bottom corner, sparking a roar from the visiting supporters that set the tone for their afternoon.

14 minutes: PWHFC 0-1 Windsor & Eton. A proper cup tie in the offing, quick, direct & full of bite.

Following this, James Teoderescu steamed through the defence, but couldn’t get his shot away and Frank McCormack picked up a booking for a foul. A rare back pass free kick gave Dale a chance and defender Ryan Mahal almost levelled with a thunderbolt of his own. Lewis Heywood and Fynn Rutherford, returning stars from last season, combined well for a near miss and Fynn Rutherford soon afterwards, did superbly to delay a 1v1 at the other end. Windsor & Eton clipped the post just before the break.

Half-time: Petts Wood & Holmesdale 0-1 Windsor & Eton.

The visitors went a little more direct in the second half and out of nowhere, Sam Hutchings smashed a second into the top corner…another unstoppable hit.

51 minutes: PWH 0-2 Windsor & Eton.

Charlie Clover almost responded instantly, forcing a save from the keeper. Pete Nolan and AC reacted with a triple change: Armani Jordan Martin, Joel Wakefield and Jayden Boulton on, with Joel almost making an immediate impact with a piercing run through the defence.
Then came PWHFC's moment. A high ball dropped to Mecca Samuels, who took a gorgeous touch, stepped inside and curled it perfectly into the corner. An unreal strike, right up there with Tunmise Akanni’s curled effort earlier in the competition.

59 minutes: 1-2. Dale had their tails up.

Mecca went close again with a header moments later and Lewis Heywood almost levelled the match too, but Windsor & Eton broke away and restored their cushion with a ball over the top finished by Morrison Hashi.

61 minutes: 1-3.

New youngster Marley Sablier came on and almost marked his debut with a deflected effort, but Windsor & Eton kept flexing their attacking power, hitting the side netting before adding a fourth after a defensive mistake, substitute George Weston-Brown scoring from close range.

84 minutes: 1-4.

Alex Donville added another to round off the scoring.

85 minutes: 1-5.

Full-time - Petts Wood & Holmesdale 1-5 Windsor & Eton.

A tough defeat, but one that closes an historic FA Cup run, the furthest the club has ever been in the competition. The last few weeks have delivered unforgettable moments, big away wins, dramatic goals and a sense of momentum that everyone connected with the club can feel.

Two defeats in a row sting, but the response can come quickly, a London Senior Cup tie on Tuesday night against Sporting Bengal and a chance to put things right immediately.

Written by Jay Underwood
PWHFC Fixture Secretary